Adventure Tourism in the Spanish Population: Sociodemographic Analysis to Improve Sustainability

Abstract

In recent decades, tourism is an activity in continuous growth and generates a significant impact in the social, economic, and environmental fields. Adventure tourism mainly takes place in natural settings, where tourist immersion will generate, in addition to profits, an impact on nature and the conservation of natural areas. The purpose of this work is to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of tourists who choose to carry out adventure activities, as well as the means of transport used. For this, we have carried out this study through analysis of the 2019 data file of tourists from the National Statistics Institute with a sample of adventure tourists of 380 people. The results of the analysis show that the type of tourist who does adventure sports is single people with a higher educational level and a stable professional situation. The most frequently used means of transport to a destination is private transport, and lodging accounts for the majority of accommodation. It should be noted that significant gender differences were found in the level of studies, professional status in the job performed, and type of accommodation. Finally, the profile of the adventure tourist will be very useful for planning sustainable tourism.

Regional destination attributes that attract domestic tourists: the role of man-made venues for leisure and recreation

“…Similarly, Kaynak et al (1996) find that, in Dublin (Ireland), married people are more attracted by restful and physically refreshing destination attributes, while single tourists tend to value more the experiences associated with excitement, nature, fun, amongst other attributes. For the Spanish case, Rojo-Ramos et al (2021) find that amongst the marital status category, single tourists are more oriented toward adventure tourism activities. Based on Nicolau (2010), the spirit of variety-seeking for man-made attractions (in tourists from relatively smaller cities) is likely more pronounced in single and divorced tourists than married tourists.…”

“…(1996) find that, in Dublin (Ireland), married people are more attracted by restful and physically refreshing destination attributes, while single tourists tend to value more the experiences associated with excitement, nature, fun, amongst other attributes. For the Spanish case, Rojo-Ramos et al. (2021) find that amongst the marital status category, single tourists are more oriented toward adventure tourism activities.…”

Gender Differences in Adventure Tourists Who Practice Kayaking in Extremadura

“…As for gender, previous research had already pointed out possible distribution differences in terms of professional status, marital status and educational level among adventure tourists who had visited Malaysia [63]. Similarly, Rojo-Ramos et al found significant differences in the level of education and professional status when assessing gender in adventure tourists [62]. It is worth mentioning the scarce bibliography with a segmentation of the different tourism sectors, in this case adventure tourism, in which the dependent variable is gender.…”

“…In addition, in Norwegian domestic tourism in the nature activities sector, the predominant demographic profile included both genders, an age between 35 and 44 years old, married, with a high school education and no children. In the Spanish context and more specifically in Extremadura, adventure tourists tend to be Spanish, single, university educated, with permanent employment contracts, with children at home and with a median age of 40 [62]. As for gender, previous research had already pointed out possible distribution differences in terms of professional status, marital status and educational level among adventure tourists who had visited Malaysia [63].…”